History was made in early 2010 when Tomas Sanchez became the very first Garífuna in Guatemala to start blogging. If you are interested in learning about the Garífuna on a deeper level, Garifuna culture and spirituality beyond the tourists' vision, then here is where you need to be. Gain insight into the reality of the Garífunas in Livingston and feel free to leave comments. Thank you for visiting.

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Mood Swing

Sat. 7/6/14- It is 5:42 in the morning and for the most part
I was taking care of other things before I came to this point. In this case, my
feelings today are not same like yesterday, yes indeed! There is such a thing
like “mood swing.” Our community in Labuga is yearning and hurting. Since
Wednesday June 4th 2014, our community radio was confiscated by the authorities
for reasons unknown to me at this moment. On the other hand we are hurting over
the case of a well know young Garifuna teenager who needs special attention. I
was told yesterday that he is still in custody of the authorities, for the sole
reason that he was at the radio station when the raid took place.

I had my first experience with the audience or listeners of
Radio Marabou way back in 2009; my last visit was on the 21st May 2014, to
inform the community about what is going on. To give you an “inside look” here
is some notes that I shared with you:

Wed.21/5/14- It is 5:28 in the morning and I have been
thinking about the events that are unfolding in front of our eyes. I was at
Humbe’s home a couple days to congratulate him for the achievements of his
daughter. This particular young lady has done something for the Garifuna of
Guatemala that might take another life time to be achieved. On the other hand I
am scheduled to be on a radio program with her father today for an hour. It is
a radio program that Humbe has been conducting in Labuga and for the most part
it has a wide range of coverage in our community. In this case, we hope to use
the radio program as an instrument for “information”. I am aware that “information” can be a double
edge sword; therefore I would like to be upfront to let you know that I will
stand by what I say.

Having said all that, today we hope to inform our community
with the process regarding RIC. I am aware of the danger zone that we are
approaching, be that as it may, I will stand by what I say, destiny and fate
can takes its course but it is up to us to choose which direction to
take."